Marnie Kennedy, Fighting Words NI pictured with Logan and Caitlin, Year 11 pupils at Malone College, Belfast.

Fighting Words NI has been awarded £9,000 through the Shared History Fund. The Shared History Fund, which The National Lottery Heritage Fund is distributing on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office, will support groups in marking the Centenary of Northern Ireland in 2021 in a thoughtful, inclusive and engaging way.  

The funding will support Fighting Words NI to run a fourteen-week creative writing programme with Year 11 pupils at Malone Integrated College, which explores the shared histories of Northern Ireland.  The students will use their imaginations, personal histories and historical facts to creatively connect with life 100 years ago and 100 years from now. Launching in October 2021, the project will include historical visual prompts such as photography and will culminate in a digital anthology of the young people’s writing to be published in March 2022.   

Hilary Copeland, Director at Fighting Words NI, said: 

“We’re grateful to the Northern Ireland Office and The National Lottery Heritage Fund for providing this funding. Thanks to this grant, we will be able to work closely with a group of young writers at Malone College, share some untold stories about Northern Ireland’s history and bring the community together to mark the Centenary of Northern Ireland.”  

Mukesh Sharma, Chair, Northern Ireland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund and Marnie Kennedy, Fighting Words NI, pictured with Logan and Caitlin, Year 11 pupils at Malone College, Belfast, at the launch of ‘Untold and Imagined Stories’

Mukesh Sharma, Chair, Northern Ireland, The National Lottery Heritage Fund said:  

“As a leading funder of heritage throughout the UK, we understand the central role that heritage plays in people’s lives and their communities. We also recognise that there are aspects of heritage that can be challenging.  

“However, our experience in supporting partners to navigate difficult periods in our history throughout the Decade of Centenaries demonstrates that there is a way to engage with difficult heritage in a positive way. No one narrative is more important than another, and it’s important we create a space that allows a range of stories to be told.  

“We’re delighted to be delivering this funding on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office and have supported projects which will not only mark the Centenary but will show how we can engage with difficult heritage going forward.”